EP 0352631 A3 19910710 - OPTICAL FIBER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER SENSOR
Title (en)
OPTICAL FIBER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER SENSOR
Publication
Application
Priority
US 22444288 A 19880725
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP0352631A2] A device for distributing signals within a sensor system used for monitoring the presence of a specific analyte in a composition by means of an analyte-sensitive indicator molecule is disclosed. The sensor includes a signal-generating component, a single-fiber sensor tip that houses the indicator molecule and a signal-measuring component. In one preferred embodiment, the signal-generating component generates a first optical signal of a wavelength that is sensitive to the indicator molecule, and a second optical signal of a wavelength that is predictably altered by the indicator molecule. The distribution system includes lengths of optical fiber, a dividing connector, a mixing connector, a transmitting connector and a tip connector. The dividing connector connects at least three intermediate fibers to the signal-generating component to thereby receive intermediate signals. At least one of the intermediate signals corresponds to the wavelength of the first signal and one intermediate signal corresponds to the wavelength of the second signal. The mixing connector connects a mixing fiber to the intermediate fibers to thereby receive the intermediate signals and blend them into a single mixed signal. The transmitting connector connects a transmitting fiber to the mixing fiber to thereby receive a portion of the mixed signal, and connects a comparison fiber to the mixing fiber to transmit a portion of the mixed signal to the signal-measuring component. The tip connector connects the transmitting fiber to the sensor tip fiber to thereby transmit a portion of the mixed signal to the sensor tip, and connects an indicator fiber to the sensor tip to thereby transmit a portion of the resulting indicator signal returned from the sensor tip to the signal-measuring component. The intensity of the intermediate signal corresponding to the first signal is maximized at the dividing connector. The intensity of the intermediate signals corresponding to the wavelength of a first signal are bounded by the necessity of transmitting intermediate signals corresponding to the second signal of adequate intensity such that the intensity of the indicator signal of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the second signal is suitable for monitoring the operation of the distribution system.
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
G01N 21/17 (2006.01); G01N 21/77 (2006.01); G01N 21/78 (2006.01); G02B 6/00 (2006.01); G02B 6/28 (2006.01); G01N 21/80 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
G01N 21/7703 (2013.01); G02B 6/28 (2013.01); G02B 6/2808 (2013.01); G01N 21/6408 (2013.01); G01N 21/6428 (2013.01); G01N 21/783 (2013.01); G01N 21/80 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [A] EP 0214040 A2 19870311 - TACAN AEROSPACE CORP [US]
- [A] EP 0190830 A2 19860813 - GOULD INC [US]
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE FR GB IT
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 0352631 A2 19900131; EP 0352631 A3 19910710; AU 3883189 A 19900125; AU 614649 B2 19910905; CA 1321087 C 19930810; JP H0254150 A 19900223
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 89113312 A 19890720; AU 3883189 A 19890720; CA 606578 A 19890725; JP 19121089 A 19890724